Rachel Elnaugh: Difference between revisions
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===Career=== |
===Career=== |
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At just 24, she became founder and Chief Executive of the UK company [[Red Letter Days Ltd]], which provides unusual "experience" gifts such as tank driving, record production and aircraft flying. The company |
At just 24, she became founder and Chief Executive of the UK company [[Red Letter Days Ltd]], which provides unusual "experience" gifts such as tank driving, record production and aircraft flying. The company grew to a £17.5million turnover, and in 2001/2 Elnaugh won [[Veuve Clicquot]] Businesswoman of the Year and [[Ernst & Young]] Entrepreneur of the Year, which resulted in her joining the [[BBC]]'s ''[[Dragon's Den (UK)|Dragon's Den]].''<ref name="CP1">{{citeweb|url=http://www.celebpreneur.com/2007/08/rachel-elnaugh-interview|title=Interview with Rachel Elnaugh|publisher=celebpreneur.com|date=August 11th, 2007|accessdate=2008-01-05}}</ref> |
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After a poorly made strategic and financial choice of expanding via supermarket distribution, Red Letter Days went into administration in [[2005]]; the remaining assets and good will were bought by fellow ''Dragons' Den'' judges [[Peter Jones (entrepreneur)|Peter Jones]] and [[Theo Paphitis]]. Although Elnaugh was at the helm before and at the time of the company's failure just days after the birth of her fourth child, she blames the problems on the actions of the last CEO who she appointed in 2002, whilst she took a non-executive role.<ref>{{citeweb|url=http://technology.guardian.co.uk/businesssense/story/0,16568,1580218,00.html|title=Dragon still has fire in her belly|publisher=The Guardian|date=September 29, 2005|accessdate=2008-01-05}}</ref> |
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[[ITV1]]'s ''"[[Tonight (TV series)|Tonight Programme]]"'' had more critical explanation of the demise of Red Letter Days, including unpaid suppliers and disappointed purchasers. The programme suggested the business model failed to [[escrow]] or earmark supplier payment equity, instead using it for working capital. |
[[ITV1]]'s ''"[[Tonight (TV series)|Tonight Programme]]"'' had more critical explanation of the demise of Red Letter Days, including unpaid suppliers and disappointed purchasers. The programme suggested the business model failed to [[escrow]] or earmark supplier payment equity, instead using it for working capital. |
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As a result of disputes with various Dragons, and the resulting uncomfortable position of the BBC if it allowed a perceived "failed" business person to be on a business panel, she agreed to leave the ''"Dragons' Den"'' panel. |
As a result of disputes with various Dragons (Jones, Paphitis and [[Duncan Banatyne]]),<ref name="CP1"/> and the resulting uncomfortable position of the BBC if it allowed a perceived "failed" business person to be on a business panel, she agreed to leave the ''"Dragons' Den"'' panel. |
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Elnaugh is now working as a [[venture capital]] adviser and business speaker. She is also writing a book about "the entire business life cycle and the kind of lessons you learn along the way - through bitter experience - not just through my own experiences but through the eyes of the other entrepreneurs" which is due out early next year. |
Elnaugh is now working as a [[venture capital]] adviser and business speaker. She is also writing a book about "the entire business life cycle and the kind of lessons you learn along the way - through bitter experience - not just through my own experiences but through the eyes of the other entrepreneurs" which is due out early next year. |
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Revision as of 00:17, 6 January 2008
Rachel Elnaugh (born 12 December 1964) is a British entrepreneur, who came to prominence as an investor on the BBC Two TV series Dragons' Den in which hers was the sole female perspective alongside four male Dragons.
Biography
Her family lived above her fathers electrical shop, and she attended Chelmsford County High School for Girls. She originally wanted to take art history, but a bad teacher's reference led to her being rejected at five universities,[1] and she become an accountant and tax consultant with Arthur Andersen.[2]
Career
At just 24, she became founder and Chief Executive of the UK company Red Letter Days Ltd, which provides unusual "experience" gifts such as tank driving, record production and aircraft flying. The company grew to a £17.5million turnover, and in 2001/2 Elnaugh won Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year and Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, which resulted in her joining the BBC's Dragon's Den.[3]
After a poorly made strategic and financial choice of expanding via supermarket distribution, Red Letter Days went into administration in 2005; the remaining assets and good will were bought by fellow Dragons' Den judges Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis. Although Elnaugh was at the helm before and at the time of the company's failure just days after the birth of her fourth child, she blames the problems on the actions of the last CEO who she appointed in 2002, whilst she took a non-executive role.[4]
ITV1's "Tonight Programme" had more critical explanation of the demise of Red Letter Days, including unpaid suppliers and disappointed purchasers. The programme suggested the business model failed to escrow or earmark supplier payment equity, instead using it for working capital.
As a result of disputes with various Dragons (Jones, Paphitis and Duncan Banatyne),[3] and the resulting uncomfortable position of the BBC if it allowed a perceived "failed" business person to be on a business panel, she agreed to leave the "Dragons' Den" panel.
Elnaugh is now working as a venture capital adviser and business speaker. She is also writing a book about "the entire business life cycle and the kind of lessons you learn along the way - through bitter experience - not just through my own experiences but through the eyes of the other entrepreneurs" which is due out early next year.
Personal life
Elnaugh has a brother called Joel Elnaugh who is a stand up comedian, who had a show at the 2004 Edinburgh Festival called Alone Again - Naturally.
Having put her Sandhurst home up as security in the attempt to save Red Letter Days,[5] Elnaugh presently lives in Bakewell, Derbyshire with her five sons: three from her first marriage - Mark, Paul, Eddie; and two from her second - Michael and Jack.[6][7]
References
- ^ "Dragon back in her den". The Observer. December 11, 20. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Elnaugh ousted from Red Letter Days". Accountancy Age. 3 August 2005. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
- ^ a b "Interview with Rachel Elnaugh". celebpreneur.com. August 11th, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Dragon still has fire in her belly". The Guardian. September 29, 2005. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
- ^ "Failure is not the end of the road". Sunday Times. December 9, 2007. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
- ^ "Interviews with Working Mothers - Rachel Elnaugh". motheratwork.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
- ^ "Rachel Elnaugh". Crimson Publishing. Retrieved 2008-01-05.
External links
- Rachel Elnaugh's website
- Please use a more specific IMDb template. See the documentation for available templates.
- Celebpreneur Interview
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